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`USODSSS9S49A
`
`United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,559,549
`
`Hendricks et al.
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`Sep. 24, 1996
`
`[54]
`
`[75]
`
`[731
`
`TELEVISION PROGRAM DELIVERY
`SYSTEM
`
`Inventors: John S. Hendricks, Potomac; Alfred
`E. Bonner, Bethesda, both of Md.
`
`Assignee: Discovery Communications, Inc..
`Bethesda, Md.
`
`[21]
`
`[22]
`
`Appl. No.:
`Filed:
`
`160,191
`
`Dec. 2, 1993
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Hong Kong Enterprise advertisement: Two Innovative New
`Consumer Products From SVI; Nov. 1988; p. 379.
`Great Presentations advertisement: Remote, Remote; 1987;
`p. 321-1.
`Consumer Dist. advertisement: Xpand Your TV’s Channel
`Capability; FalUWinter 1992; p. 215.
`Hem-1e van den Boom: An Interactive Videotex System for
`Two—Way CATV Networks; AEU, Band 40; 1986; pp.
`397—401.
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`Primary Examiner—Safet Metjahic
`Assistant Examiner—Chris Grant
`
`Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 991,074. Dec. 9, 1992.
`
`Attorney Agent, or Firm—Dorsey 3?. Whitney LLP
`
`{57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An expanded television program delivery system is
`described which allows viewers to select television and
`audio program choices from a series of menus. The primary
`components of the system include an operations center, a
`digital cable headend, and at least one set top terminal
`having a remote control. The system allows for a great
`number of television signals to be transmitted by using
`digital compression techniques. A combined signal is trans-
`mitted over satellite to a cable headend, which may modify
`the combined signal for changes or additions in program-
`ming or menu content. The combined or modified signal is
`subsequently distributed to individual set top terminals in
`the cable network. Menus are partially stored in a set top
`terminal
`in each subscribers home and may be repro-
`grammed by signals sent from the operations center or
`headend. Numerous types of menus may be used, incorpo-
`rating information included within the videoldata signal
`received by the set top terminal. A remote control unit with
`icon buttons allows a subscriber to select programs based
`upon a series of major menus, submenus, and during pro-
`gram menus. Various data gathering and analysis techniques
`are used to compile programs watched infomtation that in
`turn is used in packaging programs, customizing menu
`selections,
`targeting
`advertisements,
`and maintaining
`account and billing information.
`
`[63]
`
`[51]
`[52]
`[58]
`
`[56]
`
`Int. CI.‘5 ....................................................... HIM-N 7116
`US. Cl.
`...........
`3484’6; 348t'12; 4555.1
`
`Field of Search
`343%, 7, 9. 12,
`348i'13, 1; 45534.2, 51, 6.1; H04N 7i16.
`71'173
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0050
`
`. 301,037
`. 314,333
`. 325,531
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`
`5.4929 Malsuda .
`2:199! Hafiier.
`411992 Schwartz .
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`12i1992 Rank, Jr.
`.
`1211934 Kruger et a1.
`81198? Eilers et a1.
`.
`911987 Keiwit et at. .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`2044574 12.11992
`243312 10.11981
`European Pat. 01f. .
`355597
`21990
`European Pat. Oil“.
`.
`424643
`511991
`European Pat. 03‘. .
`506435
`911992
`European Pat. 01f. .
`614160150
`31936
`Japan .
`3193119
`811991
`Japan .
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`21 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
`
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`NTFX—1008 I Page 1 of 29
`
`

`

`5,559,549
` Page 2
`
`us. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1131937 Youngv
`4,706,121
`211938 Lambert .................................. 3581310
`4,724,491
`4,792,972 1211988 Cook, Jr. .
`4329.558
`511989 Welsh. _
`41339569
`511989 Seth-Swill 9* 91 ---------------------- 330110
`4.860.379
`811989 Sehoeneberger et al. .
`418761735
`1011989 KIWI -
`4,941,429
`311990 BestIer et al. .
`4.949.187
`311990 Cohen -
`4,949,310
`91' 1990 Barbee et al. .
`49519109
`1011990 T911319 -
`41975951
`1231990 13mm
`41971455
`1211990 Yuma.
`4,995,078
`211991 Monslow et al. .
`5,001,554
`311991 Johnson eta]. .
`5,015,329
`511991 E11611 6121. .
`5,020,129
`511991 Martin e: a]. _
`5,027,400
`611991 Baji e: 8.1.
`.
`5.0365394
`7,1991 M651 etal‘ _
`5,046,093
`911991 Wachob.
`5,047,367
`911991 Stmbbe 61. 3]..
`5,073,019
`1,1992 Anh- ’
`.
`5,093,713
`311992 Hearty e1 8.1.
`5,105,263
`411992 Yamanouchi et 111..
`5,132,139
`711992 Ammmon et 61..
`5,133,019
`511939 1361121113166 61 al. .
`5,144,663
`911992 Kudclski or al. .
`5,151,132
`911992 Ferraro- 34317
`5,151,739
`911992 Young.
`5,166,336
`1111992 Molnar 6161..
`.......................... 45513.1.
`5.172.413 123.1992 Bmdley‘et El.
`$132639
`”1993 Mamba 9‘ a1.
`.
`5,202,317
`411993 Koenck et a]. .
`5,236,954
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`5,216,515
`611993 Steele 61 a].
`.
`5,223,924
`611993 Strubbe ‘
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`5.227211
`3’1993 M31163! fl 8.1.
`5,247,347
`911993 final-31 et al. _
`5,253,066
`1011993 Vogel ,
`5,253,275
`1011993 Yun et a1
`
`.................................. 3431?
`
`...........................
`
`.....................
`
`211994 Esch 6161.
`5,233,639
`211994 Watson .
`5,239,271
`.
`311994 Trani at 61.
`5,293,540
`711994 mm el al.
`513231.554
`311994 Maeda e! 31‘ _
`5339315
`311994 Lappington et aI.
`5,343,239
`911994 Tsuda
`5,345,594
`1011994 Young at a]. ‘
`5,353,121
`5.355.162 1011994 116261166 et Bl.
`5357275 1011994 Banker et :11.
`_
`5,375,068
`1211994 Palmer 61 a1.
`5404393
`411995 Remillard ‘
`5,410,326
`411995 0616mm .
`5,414,426
`511995 O’Donnell et a1. .
`5,416,503
`511995 Sakumaet 3.1..
`5,431.294
`111995 Thomas et 31' .
`
`.
`
`.. 34816
`
`348113
`
`348113
`34316
`
`3641514
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`.
`1913,3116
`9’1993
`5259195
`611936 Umted ngdom.
`216822?
`“19% WW-
`3691962
`1931939 “’90.
`3999523
`111991 WIPO .
`9100670
`“991 W0 -
`9193112
`711992 “’0-
`9211713
`7’ 1992 W190 -
`9212599
`1011992
`“’"5'0 -
`9217027
`9221206 ““992 WIPO -
`9323377 1” 1993
`““PO -
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Daniel M_ Moloney; Digital Compression in Todays Addres-
`sable Environment; 1993 NCI'A Technical Papers; Jun. 6,
`1993. PP- 308—316.
`(33.11.1111. Besflel" Flexible Data 3mm and Intflfface Rim“
`.
`‘
`.
`.
`als For Rap1d Development of OSD Apphcanons; 93 NCTA
`Tech. P313613; Jun. 6, 1993; pp. 223-236.
`A. D. Gallium, et 3].: A Store-And—Forward Architecture
`For Video—On—Demand Service; ICC 91 C0111; Jun. 1991;
`pp. 842—846.
`
`‘
`
`NTFX—1008 I Page 2 of 29
`
`

`

`US. Patent-
`
`Sep. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 1 of 11
`
`5,559,549
`
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`NTFX—1008 I Page 3 of 29
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 2 of 11
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`5,559,549
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`NTFX—1008 I Page 4 of 29-
`
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`'
`
`Sep.24,1996
`
`Sheet 3 of 11
`
`5,559,549
`
`Fig. 3
`
`I
`O
`(
`
`OPERATIONS -
`
`202
`
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`204 ‘
`
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`
`NTFX—1008 I' Page 5 of 29
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`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 4 of 11
`
`5,559,549
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`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 24, 1996
`
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`5,559,549
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`NTFX—1008 I Page 7 of 29
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`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 8 of 11
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`5,559,549
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`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep.24, 1996
`
`Sheet 9 of 11
`
`5,559,549
`
`620
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`
`GRAPHICS MEMORY
`
`MEMORY FILES
`
` BACKGROUND
`
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`NTFX—1008 I Page 1 1 of 29
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`I.
`
`-Sep.24,1996
`
`Sheet 10 of 11
`
`5,559,549
`
`
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`£121.
`
`
`
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`
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`
`NTFX—1008 1' Page 12 of 29
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 24, 1996
`
`Sheet 11 of 11
`
`5,559,549
`
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`NTFX—1008 I Page 13 of 29
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`

`

`5,559,549
`
`1
`TELEVISION PROGRAM DELIVERY
`SYSTEM
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of application
`Ser. No. 07991974 filed Dec. 9, 1992 entitled TELEVI-
`SION PROGRAM PACKAGING AND DELIVERY SYS-
`TEM WITH MENU DRIVEN SUBSCRIBER ACCESS.
`The following other continuation—in—part applications, also
`based on the above-referenced patent application, are incor-
`porated herein by reference:
`Ser No. 08I160,281, entitled REPROGRAMMABLE TER-
`MINAL FOR SUGGESTING PROGRAMS OFFERED
`ON A TELEVISION PROGRAM DELIVERY SYSTEM,
`filed Dec. 2, 1993.
`Ser. No. 081160280, entitled NETWORK CONTROLLER
`FOR CABLE TELEVISION DELIVERY SYSTEMS,
`filed Dec. 2, I993.
`Ser. No. 081160382, entitled AN OPERATIONS CENTER
`FOR A TELEVISION PROGRAM PACKAGING AND
`DELIVERY SYSTEM, filed Dec. 2, 1993.
`Ser. No. 08l160,193, entitled SET-TOP TERMINAL FOR
`CABLE TELEVISION DELIVERY SYSTEMS,
`filed
`Dec. 2, 1993.
`Ser. No. 08l160,194, entitled ADVANCED SET-TOP TER-
`MINAL FOR CABLE TELEVISION DELIVERY SYS-
`TEMS, filed Dec. 2, I993.
`Ser. No. 08I160,283, entitled DIGITAL CABLE HEAD-
`END FOR CABLE TELEVISION DELIVERY SYS-
`TEM, filed Dec. 2, 1993.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention relates to television entertainment systems
`for providing television programming to consumer homes.
`More particularly, the invention relates to a user friendly
`system for providing consumers with television program-
`ming choices.
`'
`Advances in television entertainment have been primarily
`driven by breakthroughs in technology. In 1939, advances
`on Vladmir Zworylrin’s picture tube provided the stimulus
`for NBC to begin its first regular broadcasts.
`In 1975,
`advances in satellite technology provided consumers with
`increased programming to homes.
`Many of these technology breakthroughs have produced
`inconvenient systems for consumers. One example is the
`ubiquitous three remote control home, having a separate and
`unique remote control for theTV, cable box and VCR. More
`recently, technology has provided cable users in certain parts
`of the country with 100 channels of programming. This
`increased program capacity is beyond the ability of many
`consumers to use effectively. No method of managing the
`program'choices has been provided to consumers.
`Consumers are demanding that future advances in televi-
`sion entertainment, particularly programs and program
`choices, be presented to the consumer in a user friendly
`manner. Consumer preferences, instead of technological
`breakthroughs, will drive the television entertainment mar-
`ket for at least the next 20 years. As computer vendors have
`experienced a switch from marketing new technology in
`computer hardware to marketing better useability, interfaces
`and service, the television entertainment industry will also
`experience a switch from new technology driving the market
`to consumer useability driving the market.
`
`2
`Consumers want products incorporating new technology
`that are useful, and will no longer purchase new technology
`for the sake of novelty or status. Technological advances in
`sophisticated hardware are beginning to surpass the capa-
`bility of the average consumer to use the new technology.
`Careful engineering must be done to make entertainment
`products incorporating new technology useful and desired
`by consumers.
`In order for new television entertainment products to be
`successful, the products must satisfy consumer demands. TV
`consumers wish to go from limited viewing choices to a
`variety of choices, from no control of programming to
`complete control. Consumers wish to advance from cum-
`bersome and inconvenient television to easy and convenient
`television and keep costs down. Consumers do not wish to
`pay for one hundred channels when due to lack of program-
`ming information, they seldom, if ever, watch programming
`on many of these channels.
`The concepts of interactive television, high definition
`television and 300 channel cable systems in consumer
`homes will not sell if they are not packaged, delivered and
`presented in a useable fashion to consumers. The problem is
`that TV programming is not being presented to consumers in
`a user friendly manner.
`Consumers are already being bombarded with program-
`ming options, numerous “free” cable channels, subscription
`cable channels and pay-per-view choices. Any further
`increase in TV entertainment choices, without a user
`friendly presentation and approach, will
`likely bewilder
`viewers with a mind-numbing array of choices.
`What is needed is an economical system which can
`present television programs through a user friendly interface
`which allows the consumer to easily select from among the
`many program choices.
`What is needed is a system capable of handling hundreds
`of programs in different formats, be expandable for future
`types of programming and be inexpensive.
`What is need is a system for organizing programming to
`be offered to viewers.
`
`What is needed is a television program delivery system
`that can be operated in a distributive fashion and controlled
`from one or more national centers.
`
`What is needed is a television program delivery system
`that operates in the digital audiol'video environment.
`What is needed is a system capable of packaging hun-
`dreds of television programs for delivery to subscribers.
`What is needed is a system that analyzes data on programs
`watched by viewers.
`What is needed is a system capable of monitoring account
`and billing information for hundreds of program offerings.
`What is needed is a system that assists the consumer with
`program selection.
`What is needed is a system that provides subscribers with
`menu-driven access to hundreds of television programs.
`What is needed is a system that accommodates digital
`decompression and digital signaling capabilities.
`The present invention is addressed to fulfill these needs.
`SUMMARY OF INVENTION
`
`This invention is a digital television program delivery
`system. Specifically, the present invention is a digital tele-
`vision program delivery system that provides subscribers
`with menu»driven access to an expanded television program
`package.
`The invention makes use of developments in digital
`compression signaling that allows much greater throughput
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`of television program signals over existing transmission
`media. These developments allow subscribers to use the
`present invention to exploit a four-fold or more increase in
`current program delivery capability. In particular, the present
`invention provides subscribers with a menu-driven access
`scheme to an expanded television program lineup, enabling
`subscribers to access and view selected programs using a
`user friendly interface.
`This interface includes a remote control and a series of
`
`menus that may be sequenced by the subscriber using simple
`alpha, numeric and iconic character access keys. or by
`moving a cursor or highlight bar on the television screen. In
`this way, subscribers can advance from one menu to the next
`with the press of a single button. Diderent television pro-
`grams, grouped by category, may be selected and accessed
`from each menu. As a result, the present invention provides
`subscribers with a convenient method of choosing a program
`for viewing from hundreds of program ofi‘erings.
`The present invention uses several basic system compo-
`nents, namely: (i) at least one operations center, where the
`television programs are packaged and control information is
`created and then assembled in the form of digital data, (ii)
`a digital compression system, where the television program-
`ming signals and digital data may be compressed and
`processed for digital transmission over satellite to a cable
`headend for subsequent distribution over a cable network,
`and (iii) a set of in-home decompressors or set top terminals,
`which provide subscribers with digital decompression, digi-
`tal signaling and menu generation capabilities. Each of these
`basic system components plays an important role in the
`system’s overall operation.
`The operations center includes a computer assisted pack-
`aging system (CAP), which makes use of the necessary
`hardware and software to control and transmit programming
`signals over a television delivery system. The CAP creates
`the program lineup or packaging of programs and the
`packaging of menu and control information for later trans-
`mission and use at
`the cable headend. Transmission of
`control information enables the operations center to change
`allocation of programs across physical channels, update
`menu information, reprogram menu formats and menu flow,
`and change or augment a packaged program signal sent to a
`particular region of the country.
`Once the programming signals have been packaged. com-
`pressed and processed for digital transmission, these signals
`are sent along with the control information to the cable
`headend. Each cable headend typically includes signal pro-
`cessing hardware and software capable of receiving, repack-
`agingl'combining and roofing program signals to the sub-
`scriber homes.
`
`Each cable headend in the television delivery system also
`includes a network controller that manages the configuration
`of the set top terminals and processes signals received from
`the set top terminals, gathering programs watched data. The
`network controller modifies the control
`information to
`accommodate changes and additions in programming and
`advertisements, working with the signal processing hard»
`ware and software to distribute programs to the subscribers.
`The network controller also monitors all data received from
`the set top terminals in the cable network. The network
`controller uses data received to target advertisements to
`particular subscribers as well as to maintain account and
`billing information.
`From the cable headend, the programming signals and
`program control
`information are transmitted to the sub-
`scriber locations. Each subscriber is equipped with a set top
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`terminal having various digital decompression, menu gen-
`eration, upstream data transmissions, remote reprogram-
`ming and other advanced functional capabilities, or some
`combination thereof. With such capabilities. the set top
`terminal supports. for example, interactive communications
`with the cable headend. The set top terminal includes an
`interface that allows a subscriber to select and decompress
`a digitally compressed program signal for display on a
`television through sequencing menus on the television
`screen. The menus may be generated from menu templates
`stored in each set top terminal, with each selectable menu
`option corresponding to either another menu or a particular
`television program.
`It is an object of the invention to provide a user friendly
`interface for subscribers to access television programs.
`It is an object of this invention to provide an economical
`system which can present television programs through a user
`friendly interface Which allows the consumer to easily select
`from among the many program choices.
`It is an object of this invention to provide a system
`capable of handling hundreds of programs in different
`formats, be expandable for future types of programming and
`be inexpensive.
`It is an object of this invention to provide a system for
`organizing programming to be offered to viewers.
`It is an object of this invention to provide a television
`program delivery system that can be operated in a distribu-
`tive fashion and controlled from one or more national
`centers.
`
`It is an object of this invention to provide a television
`program delivery system that operates in the digital audio!
`video environment.
`
`It is an object of this invention to provide a system
`capable of packaging hundreds of television programs for
`delivery to subscribers.
`It is an object of this invention to provide a system that
`analyzes data on programs watched by viewers.
`It is an object of this invention to provide a system
`capable of monitoring account and billing information for
`hundreds of program ofierings.
`It is an object of this invention to provide a system that
`assists the consumer with program selection.
`It is an object of this invention to provide a system that
`provides subscribers with menu-driven access to hundreds
`of television programs.
`It is an object of this invention to provide a system that
`accommodates digital decompression and digital signaling
`capabilities.
`These and other objects and advantages of the invention
`will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon review
`of the following description,
`the attached drawings and
`appended claims.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a diagram of the primary components of the
`television delivery system.
`FIG. 2 is an overview of the television delivery system
`operations.
`FIG. 3 is a schematic of the operation of the primary
`components of the system.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of me hardware components of
`the set top terminal.
`
`FIG. 5a is a perspective from view of a set top terminal.
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`FIG. 5b is a perspective rear view of a set top terminal.
`FIG. 6 is a schematic of a Turbo card upgrade for a set top
`terminal.
`
`FIG. 7a is a drawing of a frame format for a program
`control information signal.
`FIG. 7b is a drawing of a frame formal for a polling
`response from the set top terminal.
`FIG. 8 is a drawing of the basic menus used in the present
`invention, including ten major menus represented by icons.
`FIG. 90 is a drawing of storage for ell-screen menu
`templates and other graphics files stored in graphics memory
`of the set top terminal.
`FIG. 9b is a drawing showing the hierarchical storage of
`text in memory for the set top terminal.
`FIG. 9-: is a drawing of a flow chart showing the steps
`required for the microprocessor to retrieve, combine and
`display a menu.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`Television Program Delivery System Description
`I. Introduction
`FIG. 1 shows the present invention as an expanded cable
`television program delivery system 200 that dramatically
`increases programming capacity using compressed trans-
`mission of television program signals. Developments in
`digital bandwidth compression technology now allow much
`greater throughput of television program signals over exist-
`ing or slightly modified transmission media. The program
`delivery system 200 shown provides subscribers with a user
`friendly interface to operate and exploit a six-fold or more
`increase in eturent program delivery capability.
`Subscribers are able to access an expanded television
`program package and view selected programs through a
`menu-driven access scheme that allows each subscriber to
`select individual programs by sequencing a series of menus.
`The menus are sequenced by the subscriber using simple
`alpha-numeric and iconic character access or moving a
`cursor or highlight bar on the TV screen to access desired
`programs by simply pressing a single button, rather than
`recalling from memory and pressing the actual two or more
`digit numeric number assigned to a selection. Thus, with the
`press of a single button, the subscriber can advance from one
`menu to the next.
`In this fashion,
`the subscriber can
`sequence the menus and select a program from any given
`menu. The programs are grouped by category so that similar
`program ofi’erings are found on the same menu.
`2. Major System Components
`in its most basic form, the system uses a program delivery
`system 200 in conjunction with a conventional concatenated
`cable television system 210. The program delivery system
`200 generally includes (i) at least one operations center 202,
`where program packaging and control information are cre-
`ated and then assembled in the form of digital data. (ii) a
`digital compression system, where the digital data is com—
`pressed, combinedl'multiplexed, encoded, and mapped into
`digital signals for satellite transmission to the cable headend
`208, and (iii) a set of in-home decompressors. The program
`delivery system 200 transports the digital signals to the cable
`headend 203 where the signals are transmitted through a
`concatenated cable television system 210. Within the cable
`headend 208, the received signals may be decoded. demul-
`tiplexed, managed by a local central distribution and switch-
`ing mechanism, combined and then transmitted to the set top
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`terminal 220 located in each subscriber’s home over the
`cable system 210. Although concatenated cable systems 210
`are the most prevalent transmission media to the home,
`telephone lines, cellular networks,
`fiberoptics, Personal
`Communication Networks and similar technology for trans-
`mitting to the home can be used interchangeably with this
`program delivery system 200.
`The delivery system 200 has a reception region 207 with
`an in-home decompression capability. This capability is
`performed by a decompressor housed within a set
`top
`terminal 220 in each subscriber‘s home. The decompressor
`remains transparent from the subscriber’s point of view and
`allows any of the compressed signals to be dcmultiplexed
`and individually extracted from the composite data stream
`and then individually decompressed upon selection by the
`subscriber. The decompressed video signals are convened
`into analog signals for television display. Such analog sig-
`nals include NTSC formatted signals for use by a standard
`television. Control signals are likewise extracted and
`decompressed and then either executed immediately or
`placed in local storage such as a RAM. Multiple sets of
`decompression hardware may be used to decompress video
`and control signals. The set top terminal 220 may then
`overlay or combine different signals to form the desired
`display on the subscriber’s television. Graphics on video or
`picture-on-picture are examples of such a display.
`Although a single digital compression standard (e.g.,
`MPEG) may be used for both the program delivery system
`200 and the concatenated cable system 210, the compression
`technique used may differ between the two systems. When
`the compression standards differ between the two media, the
`signals received by the cable headend 208 must be decom-
`pressed before transmission from the headend 208 to the set
`top terminals 220. Subsequently, the cable headend 208
`must recompress and transmit the signals to the set top
`terminal 220, which would then decompress the signals
`using a specific decompression algorithm.
`The video signals and program control signals received by
`the set top terminal 220 correspond to specific television
`programs and menu selections that each subscriber may
`access through a subscriber interface. The subscriber inter-
`face is a device with buttons located on the set top terminal
`220 or on a portable remote control 900. In the preferred
`system embodiment, the subscriber interface is a combined
`alpha-character. numeric and iconic remote control device
`900, which provides direct or menu-driven program access.
`The preferred subscriber interface also contains cursor
`movement and go buttons as well as alpha, numeric and
`iconic buttons. This subscriber interface and menu arrange-
`ment enables the subscriber to sequence through menus by
`choosing from among several menu options that are dis~
`played on the television screen. In addition, a user may
`bypass several menu screens and immediately choose a
`program by selecting the appropriate alpha-character,
`numeric or iccrtic combinations on the subscriber interface.
`In the preferred embodiment,
`the set
`top terminal 220
`generates die menus that are displayed on the television by
`creating arrays of panicular menu templates, and the set top
`terminal 220 displays a specific menu or submenu option for
`each available video signal.
`3. Operation Center and Digital Compression System
`The operations center 202 performs two primary services.
`packaging television programs and generating the program
`conn-ol information signal. At the operations center 202,
`television programs are received from external program
`sources in both analog and digital form. FIG. 2 shows art
`embodiment of the operations center receiving signals from
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`various external sources 212. Examples of the external
`program sources are sporting events, children’s programs,
`specialty channels. news or any other program source that
`can provide audio or visual signals. Once the programs are
`received from the external program sources, the operations
`center 202 digitizes (and preferably compresses) any pro—
`gram signals received in analog form. The operations center
`202 may also maintain an intemal storage of programs. The
`internally stored programs may be in analog or digital form
`and stored on permanent or volatile memory sources, includ-
`ing magnetic tape or RAM. Subsequent to receiving pro-
`gramming. the operations center 202 packages the programs
`into the groups and categories which provide the optimal
`marketing of the programs to subscribers For example, the
`operations center 202 may package the same programs into
`diifcrcnt categories and menus for weekday, prime~time
`viewing and Saturday afiernoon viewing. Also, the opera-
`tions center 202 packages the television programs in a
`manner that enables both the various menus to easily rep
`resent the programs and the subscribers to easily access the
`programs through the menus.
`The packaging of the digital signals is typically performed
`at the operations center 202 by computer assisted packaging
`equipment (CAP). The CAP system normally includes at
`least one computer monitor, keyboard, mouse, and standard
`video editing equipment. A programmer packages the sig-
`nals by entering certain information into the CAP. This
`information includes the date, time slot, and program eat-
`egory of .the various programs. The programmer and the
`CAP utilize demographic data and ratings in performing the
`packaging tasks. After the programmer selects the various
`programs from a pool of available programs and inputs the
`requisite information, the programmer, with assistance from
`the CAP, can select the price and allocate transponder space
`for the various programs. After the process is complete, the
`CAP displays draft menus or program sc